The History of CRI
June 1968
Parents of children and adults with mental retardation disabilities recognized a need for services. A craft-oriented program was developed in the basement of St. Rose of Lima church in Cadott. The program was named the Chippewa County Day Care Center.
1974
The Chippewa County Day Care Center moved to a building on the grounds of the Northern Wisconsin Center. The children’s program was discontinued, as public schools in Wisconsin were mandated to provide appropriate programming to all school-aged persons with disabilities. Also during this time the name was changed to the Chippewa County Development Center.
January 1984
Services were moved to a newly constructed 8,000 square foot building at 2050 County Road I. Ground breaking was held on September 27th 1983.
January 2003
The Chippewa County Development Center was renamed Chippewa River Industries.
May 25, 2005
Construction began on CRI’s new building.
December 19, 2005
Employees began working in the new CRI building at 1000 Lake Wissota Drive.
January 1, 2009
After nearly 41 years of County oversight, Chippewa River Industries became incorporated as an independent non-profit, 501c3 organization. The onset of Family Care throughout Wisconsin and the need to expand services and production capabilities were the two main reasons for this dramatic change. The previous CRI Advisory Board became the governing Board of Directors of Chippewa River Industries, Inc.
July 2012
CRI, Inc. purchased a 15,000 square foot building with plans to place to build out the property to meet various space related needs of the organization.
January, 2014
Opened second facility at 1005 Lake Wissota Drive.
December, 2014
Opened new 20,000 square foot warehouse on grounds of 1000 Lake Wissota Drive.